Help us determine the level of censorship at GenealogyWise

Today is the one-week birthday of GenealogyWise. In the last couple of days we have had to face some censorship issues for the first time. We have not been around long enough to have set policies for these kind of issues. So, we want to turn to you, our members, to help us set our censorship policies. We invite each of you to respond letting us know whether or not you think the following types of posts should be censored:

(1) Content related to pornography or adult content
(2) Content promoting products and services not related to genealogy (business opportunities, etc.)
(3) Content that is disrespectful or rude (name calling, etc.)

We value your feedback and want your help in setting policies. What do you think?

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by William Wyman on August 21, 2009 at 1:07pm

All 3 categories! There is enough bad stuff out there, let's not add to it.

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Permalink Reply by Russ Pollitt on September 16, 2009 at 4:20pm

I'm still learning my way around this wonderful site and I’m not familiar with the specific situation that precipitated this discussion. That being said I’ll offer my two cents.

We need to be discussing a “code of conduct” and not censorship. Censorship has a very negative connotation and sends the wrong message to members and potential members that we intend from the start to control free thought. Whereas a code of conduct informs members of what is acceptable or unacceptable behavior.

I think it’s the responsibility of each member to be respectful of the group in which they are participating and accountable for anything that might not be acceptable. It is also the responsibility of the group to be respectful of the individual as well.

I think it is a privilege to be a member of Genealogy Wise and not a right. Therefore, as members we need to abide by a certain “code of conduct” in such a venue. If someone thinks that that the policies, rules, guideline or “code of conduct” do not meet their needs or inhibit them then they have several choices.

• Don’t join and find another place that does meet their needs.
• If they are already members find out how they can effect a change in the current policy, rules, etc.
• If there is no way to effect change or if at the end of the process they still aren’t satisfied then they disassociate themselves from the group.

I think that moderators and owners of a website, blog, etc. should try their best to deal with each situation as it arises. However, there are times when things get way out of hand based on a misspoken word or misunderstanding on another’s part, and the intervention of the owner or moderator might quickly resolve many issues. There are times though when we need something more solid to deal with overtly inflammatory or persistent issues. That's where a “code of conduct” could help resolve these situations.

Has there been any consideration to compiling some of the ideas concerning this in one place that is readily and easily read? Make every effort to assure everyone that these are currently just suggestions and talking points about this topic.

As far as the three points mentioned originally…
Pornography/adult conduct is obviously a no brainer. However, when is it art, an innocent photo, or pornography? How many of us have a baby picture showing a baby lying on their stomach without a stitch of clothing? Embarrassing for some? Yes. Pornography? I wouldn't think so. But this is my personal point of view.

Promotion of products and services…
I agree with others who say products and services dealing with genealogy, history, archiving should be allowed. Spam from businesses having nothing to do with genealogy, history and archiving have plenty of other places to sell their wares.

Conduct…
Conduct and language is a concern when it is especially intended to offend, titillate, or get a rise out of someone. With a code of conduct everyone from the member who possibly offends others to the members who are possibly offended have a point of reference to utilize.

Having a code of conduct is a way of informing us all of what is expected and accepted. It should also be apparent that as culture and society change that a code of conduct should change as well.

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Permalink Reply by Colin Withall on September 20, 2009 at 4:09am

Most definitely. There is no place for any of these types of posts. This is strictly a help each other site and there is no reason for disrespect or rude comments, pornography, or advertising other than genealogy links or aids.

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Permalink Reply by Caromac on September 20, 2009 at 5:39am

all of this inappropriate to the ethos of this site...family history.
I think that is fair enough.
Caromac
Tasmania

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Permalink Reply by William Douglas on October 27, 2009 at 5:42am

Was there an outcome to this discussion?

Do we now have a code of conduct?

Some really good points have been made here, and it would be nice to to see where we have got to.

Yours aye,

William

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Permalink Reply by Robert Carneal on October 27, 2009 at 2:56pm

No adult content on this group please. We are certain to have kids on board. As for #2, I don't think this is the resource for business opportunities, but I would certainly love to hear about genealogy resources I have not heard about yet. Seems to me we need to split hairs on this one.

As for name-calling, what do we do if a member has a nickname that would be rude to *most* people? I would say no name calling, but if we can, and the person himself says it is ok, then a nickname is all right. I had a friend in college whom everyone called "As*****." He was a nice guy.He started that himself, he said there were seven people on campus with the same name, so to distinguish himself apart, he suggested his friends call him that. He loved it. How do we know the difference?

I think you can disagree without being mean. It's ok, to say, "I don't agree. It doesn't work for me, so I will do something else instead. Thanks for trying, though." I do not think this is the proper place to say, "I don't agree. Go to the forbidden place!" Or, "You are an idiot. Why don't you forever keep your mouth shut?" At same time, a lot of us are way too quick to take offense. I wish we could adopt a policy of waiting an hour before responding. (Cooling off time.)

I have no problem with a person saying, "I wrote a program that will take your Gedcom, and standardize all your dates for you." And the reader can decide if he wants to buy or try it. I would be annoyed if a car dealership were to sudden start pushing its cars on this group. They have nothing to do with genealogy.

Thanks for allowing us to give opinions. Good luck.

Thanks for inviting discussion on this, but it will be a difficult policy to enforce, I am afraid.

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Permalink Reply by Alice Keesey Mecoy on November 5, 2009 at 10:03pm

Yes to all 3. This should be a family friendly site

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Permalink Reply by Guy Etchells on November 15, 2009 at 4:11pm

I have come to this thread late but would like to suggest.

(1) No to pornography or adult content.
I do not see any offence in repeating the terms found in parish registers that cover illegitimacy.
I do find it offensive to use an obscene word by replacing letter with asterisks. That to me is not only the same as using the full word but implies one does not have the intelligence to decode the asterisks.

(2) No to none genealogical products.
I do feel that limited advertising of genealogical products or services should be acceptable. My main reason for this is it helps small suppliers to address the stranglehold the large corporations hold on the market and benefits users.

(3) Content that is disrespectful or rude should be left in place (unless obscene) but the poster should be warned to moderate their behaviour.
Cheers
Guy
If the postings are simply removed then others cannot see what a particular poster is actually like.

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Permalink Reply by Carole Elizabeth Bentley-Bell on November 18, 2009 at 10:13am

NO TO ALL...

We are about the business of locating our family history. I view that as a quest that is sacred and leaves no room to do things not related to that quest . THIS IS SERIOUS WORK! There is NO ROOM for any of the points mentioned above.

If you want to allow vendors, then I suggest a SEPARATE area where they can post their items. Give us the OPTION of viewing or not viewing their wares.

PORN has no place here!
Rude or mean spirited people responding to posts or placing posts should not be allowed either.

Carole Bell